About Wayne Brown’s dereliction of duty
Dear journalists, please do not let Mayor Wayne Brown off the hook regarding his appalling dereliction of duty.
Politics
local government
Three Waters becomes Affordable Water
Three Waters mark two has been announced. And Kieran McAnulty has given a text book example of clarity in political speak when making the announcement.
Wayne’s budget has nothing to do with saving money
We have heard numerous claims from Auckland mayor Wayne Brown and his supporters that the proposed budget is about saving money and getting rid of a nearly $300 million hole. This is a huge disservice to Aucklanders and hugely misleading.
Is it too early to talk about climate change?
Two unprecedented summertime storms in Auckland suggest that the threats posed by climate change are not in our future but are here now.
A week in the life of Mayor Wayne Brown
The Mayor of Supercity this week has given a textbook example of how not to communicate in a crisis.
National’s Brown problem
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown is providing National strategists with a rather large headache.
2023: Year of the Long Grind
There will be no respite for any of us this year; it’s a politics and a society of endurance.
Super City’s handling of the storm event
As Auckland slowly recovers but ready itself for further storms there is some attention being given to review Council’s response to the super storm. The initial impression, and this is held widely is that the response was sub optimal.
Why selling Auckland Airport shares is a silly thing to do
Wayne Brown is proposing the sale of Auckland Council’s Airport shares to plug a budget hole. He thinks it is a simple decision and a rational way to take care of the deficit. I beg to differ.
Co-Governance is Orthodox Policy for both National and Labour
National, the party which enacted legislation that gave Waikato command over the allocation of the Waikato River, iwi command over the Taupo catchment and full Maori control over the massive Uruwera water catchment, has not traditionally been opposed to co governance.
What happened to National’s policy machine?
Remember when a few leaders ago then National Leader Simon Bridges promised that National would be a 56 MP policy machine? Judging by its response to the Government’s release of two bills at the centre of RMA reform the machine has major problems.
The Striking Similarities Between Elon Musk and Wayne Brown
Elon Musk and Wayne Brown both deliberately promote chaos.
Wayne Brown’s letters
Wayne Brown (or is that Matthew Hooton) has over the past few days released a series of letters that are astonishing in their audacity. His latest on transport proposes business as usual at a time when dramatic change is required.
The Auckland Mayor’s powers
Wayne Brown has by Mayoral decree ordered Watercare to stop working on the Three Waters reform. But he should take legal advice because his decree has absolutely no legal force.
We needed Wayne Brown
The left and the Ardern government need to start appreciating the new Auckland mayor.
The people have spoken
The people have spoken and with appallingly low turnout levels grumpy campaigns have succeeded and Auckland and other areas have moved to the right.
Local Government election results
Live updates and discussion post
Own our future
This year’s Local Government election is reaching a critical stage. And it is vital to get the right people elected. Please make sure that your families and friends vote for progressive candidates. Your kids and your grandkids futures depend on it.
The difference between Simon Wilson and Mike Hosking
Wayne Brown’s mayoral campaign hit a really big pothole on the weekend when he was caught bad mouthing Herald reporter Simon Wilson. His comments received a lot of support from the right on social media who made comments about Wilson similar to the comments the left make about Mike Hosking. Are these examples of the same phenomenon, political bias against critical commentators?
What is Paul Eagle doing?
Some concerning reports have emerged about Paul Eagle’s mayoral campaign. This week there have been reports that he snubbed a Labour Council candidate while endorsing a right wing candidate. And that he has been working behind the scenes supporting a team of independents.
The right’s last desperate throw of the dice in Auckland
Even though her name is on the ballot paper and people can vote for her National aligned Mayoral candidate Viv Beck has purported to withdraw from the Auckland Mayoral race.
Viv Beck going full Trump backfires
Recent leaks and publicity have caused huge damage to Viv Beck’s campaign to become Auckland’s next mayor. They also highlight the stark difference between the left and the right in terms of campaigning.
Who will be Wellington’s next Mayor?
The Wellington Mayoralty is shaping up to be a contest between the incumbent Andy Foster, Labour candidate Paul Eagle who will be a direct challenge to Foster’s support base and Tory Whanau who is standing on a policy basis strong on sustainability including the construction of a comprehensive connected bike network.
Molloy drops out of Mayoralty race
Self described tough man Leo Molloy has found the going too tough and has pulled out of the Auckland mayoralty race.
Was This The Change We Needed?
Crises that profoundly test a small developed state like New Zealand have required huge growth in state strength and policy power. But was it the change we needed?
Nonsense Auckland Council PR
Sometimes the egregious spin gets too much. And when developers who want a compact urban form are telling Auckland Council that its plans are not working you know Auckland Council has a problem.
The dodgy Auckland Mayoralty Curia poll
An Auckland Ratepayers Alliance Curia poll that was trumpeted as claiming that Efeso Collins and Leo Molloy were neck and neck in terms of public support has attracted criticism after it was disclosed that the poll of 500 persons had 53% stating that they did not know who they would vote for.
Tamaki Makaurau’s very own wannabe Trump
What started out as an ego driven campaign is now developing into full blown Trumism as Leo Molloy thrashes around attempting to court attention in the belief, Trump like, that it will convert into political support.
Selling Henderson Film Studios is Actually Good
In 2003 Mayor Bob Harvey drove the formation of Film Auckland and the construction of the Henderson Valley Studios. Now they are being sold. But this is a good thing.
The Auckland Mayoralty campaign
The Auckland mayoralty campaign promises to be a fascinating contest between a right winger promising to spend $1.5 million on the campaign and wants to turn sprinklers on the homeless and Efeso Collins who promises to run an inclusive respectful campaign.
The politics of opposition to cycleways
Opposition to Auckland Council’s Cycling and Micromobility Programme Business Case appears to be motivated by the belief that plans to have more of the population walk and cycle instead of using cars will be unpopular. Overseas experience suggests that not only can these types of projects contribute significantly to sustainability but they can also be very popular.
3 Waters Reform Must Happen
If you’re out there in ZB land and believe that water management should be democratically elected, you won’t find respite here. Local Government has done a terrible job dealing with water and change is urgently needed.
Free public transport for Auckland is a very good idea
Efeso Collins has announced his first Mayoral campaign policy and it is a biggie, free public transport for Auckland.
Auckland Mayor Phil Goff to Retire
Some thoughts on the contribution of Phil Goff to Auckland during his term as Mayor.
Goff retiring as super city mayor
Phil Goff has announced that he will not seek re-election as Auckland’s Mayor.
Light Rail: The State Is Back
The light rail route and mode decision this week shows something new. It’s in the nature of the state itself.